Our Bipolar Service shortlisted for HSJ Digital Award

Mood on Track, a psychological therapy programme provided by our Bipolar Service has been shortlisted for a HSJ Digital Award in the Improving mental health through digital category.

Mood on Track (MoT) consists of group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions (CBT), plus individual relapse prevention for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This psychological intervention can improve symptoms and quality of life, enhance recovery and reduce relapse and hospitalisations.

Over the last few years, pressure and demand on mental health services have significantly increased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restrictions meant that it was difficult, and at times impossible, to offer group therapies in person.

The Bipolar Service team recognised that their approach required a re-design, to shift the MoT programme to an online platform, allowing people to continue regular therapy and access support.

The team helped service users to familiarise themselves with video meetings and refurbished laptops and SIM cards were provided to those who did not have the means to purchase one.

Since its digital shift, the programme has increased accessibility across the region. People who previously found it difficult?to access face-to-face interventions for reasons such as travel, health conditions, anxiety or low mood, or work and childcare commitments have been able to attend, allowing the team to reach many more people. The advancement was largely welcomed by service users, who now have the option to receive psychological support in the comfort of their own home.

Reflecting on their virtual therapy, one service user said:

“Zoom meetings allowed me to be comfortable in my own environment and if and when needed to step away, I didn’t feel that it was a ‘scene’.”

Increasing access to psychological intervention for those with bipolar disorder is a current national priority. MoT’s digital advancement is timely and has enormous potential to help achieve this.

Training videos on how to effectively deliver online therapy sessions have been created by the Bipolar team, enabling other NHS clinicians to increase understanding and develop confidence in the delivery of remote intervention.

Dr Sunny Kalsy-Lillico, Chief Psychologist at Birmingham and Solihull NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust and Chair of Psychological Professions Network Midlands, said:

“This is a fantastic programme of work, one that other areas in the country are seeking to replicate. The team has been able to demonstrate how we can reach out to a broader community of service users through this programme.”

Our Bipolar Service currently looks after over 300 people with significant mood fluctuations associated with a bipolar diagnosis.

The HSJ Digital Awards ceremony will take place on 22 June 2023 at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.